Mantle-threading machine.



E E. FLORA 411. F. MURPHY. MANTLE THREADING MACHINE: APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1914.

l 1 5 1 ,579 Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

B $HEETS-SHEET 1.

1 mnnmuunmuu COLUMBIA PLANODRAPH CO.,WASH1NGTON, D C.

E. E. FLORA & J. MURPHY. MANTLE THREADING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1914.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3 "I, O, I

07%; ZFmf Irene 221% E. E. F LORA & J. F. MURPHY. MANTLE THREADING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, I914.

E. E. FLORA & J. F. MURPHY.

MANTLE THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1914.

1 1 5 1 ,579. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.-

B SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. E. FLORA & J. F. MURPHY.

MANTLE THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1914.

1 1 5 1 ,579. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

E. E. FLORA 611. F. MURPHY.

MANTLE THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAK.14,1914.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6.

E. E. FLORA & J. F. MURPHY.

MANTLE THREADING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED MAR. 14, 1914.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 7.

E. E. FLORA & J. F. MURPHY.

MANTLE THREADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1914.

' 1,151,579. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.,-

E V ,1 Z 1123-33-5 di -J erase ELLSWORTH E. FLoRAn 'naoHn r. MURPHY, or OHICAGQILLINQIS, iissislvoas, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To MANTLE MACHINERY AND PATENTS COMPANY, OF roman. Y., A coaroaarxon orjnaw Y K;-

MANTLE-THREADING MACHINE.

Figure l is a side elevationof my.,iIn-" proved device, Fig. 2 is a similar View from the opposite side, but showing the needle retracted; Fig. 3 is a front View of the device; Fig. l'is a similar view with the clamping jaws brought together; Fig. 5 is a: section on the line 5 of Fig. 2; Fig.6 is a vertical section on the line 6 of Fig. 2'; Fig- 7 is a vertical section on the, line 7 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the. line 8 of Fig.2; Fig. 9 is a vertical section through. theneedle. guide shown in elevation in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10. of Fig. 1; Fig. 11: 18.21.

section on the line 11 of Fig-10; Fig. 12

is a section on the line lQof Fig. 10,1 ig. 13. is a view partly inelevation and partly in section of the needle-clamping device;

. Fig. 14; is, a, section on the line l l of Fig.

13-; Fig. 15 is ahorizontal section on the line 15 of Figs. land 16, and Fig. l6is a vertical longitudinalsection on the line 16 of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a broken horizontal section on the line 17 of Fig. 1, showing the operation; Fig. 18. is anelevation of the same partas Fig. 17,. with the threading-device in the threading position; Fig. 19' is 'a view of certain. of the parts, shown in F ig. l7 and on the same line, showingthe mantle thread;-

ed; Fig; 20. is a transverse. section on the line 20 of Fig-18, the mantle beingplaced for threading and the needle is not yet advanced; Fig. 21 is. a front elevation on the line 21 of Fig. 18, showing the needlethreading device; Fig. 22, a horizontalsection on the line 22 of Fig. 21, and Fig. 23 is an elevation of the. threaded mantle.

Before proceedingto a detailed description of the $t cture ofthe severalpartsa SpecificationofLetters IE'atent. Paf nt d 31, 1915,

Application'fi'led March 14, 1914. .Seria1No.-824;6432 i general introductory outline of the opera- 131011 will be attempted, in orderthat when the parts are specifically enumerated, their general purpose having been set forth, their operation maybe more readily apparent. The machine is provided with acentral, vertical mantle-receiving part. or stretcher, tapered at its upper end the more readily to receive the mantles, this part beingshown at the right-hand end of Fig. 1. The mantle 1s slipped over this stretcher by the operator andthere are then brought in contact with 9 it, to, hold it. tightly against thestret'ch'er, .twoclamps on opposite sides. The two sides of the mantle arethus held tightfand flatbetween the, clamps and stretcher. The

stretcher has, on its two sides, semi-cylindrical groovesand corresponding grooves to register therewithare provided in the faces of, the clamps. cylindrical channels through which the threading needles may be advanced, the mantle occupying the centersa'oi" the channe s. i

The threading needlesthemselves are provided' with spiral portions at their ends and as they are advanced to. pass through the mantle. sides, they are given a simultaneous rotary motion, so as to pass several times through the mantle sides in opposite direc tions' in, their advancement. The needles areyl'ocked in their forward position temporarily and are then. threaded. This is accomplished by threading-devices which pass upward through theeyes of the needles and into, which the ends of-the thread to be inserted in the mantles may bepassed by the operators The .threaders then descend, pulling the ends oftheth-read through the needles. The needles are then retracted and they draw the two ends of the thread with These grooves thus formv themseveral times through the material of i the mantle, one end of the thread passing on each side of the stretcher. After, the retractionv ofthe needles, the clamps are separated to. release the mantle, the mantle is removed from the stretcher and the opera+ tion is repeated The mechanism thus falls into. several distinct parts, all of which cooperate to the same common end, but which can be conveniently considered separately. Thefirst portion of the mechanism is that for supporting, guiding, advancing and rotating the needles. The second is the mantle stretcher, clamps and means for operating them, andthe third is the threading-mech-- shafts 27 each of which has a spiral groove 28 near its rear end, the grooves terminatscrew 41..

ing in straight parts 29 and 30. These grooves are engaged by screw s31, station- .arily mounted, so that, as the needle-shafts are advanced, they move a certain distance without rotation, then rotate, and then move further without rotation. 'It will be obvious from the general description that the rotation occurs while the points of the needles are traversing the mantle.

The needles are held in the needle-shafts and made readily removable therefrom by the structure shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Each needle-shaft has, near its front end, a slightly reduced part 32 having a radial slot 33, at the rear end of which is a radial opening to receive the end 34 of the needle which is bent at right-angles. The needles are held in position by cylindrical clips 36 having inwardly-extending bent parts 37 which enter the radial slots in the forward ends of the needle-shafts to hold the needles in place. The needle is placed in position and the clip pushed down from the forward end, so' that 'a firm lock is attained. The mereslipping off of the clip frees the needle.

The needles themselves are guided in their movement by the partsrshown in Figs. 8

and 9. A stationary part of the frame car ries just below the path of the needles a grooved part 88 in which the needles rest. -A;grooved cap 39 is pressed down on the part 38 to hold the needles yieldingly in place by means of a spring 40 confined by a This steadies the needles and holds them in the proper alinement. At

their extreme forward limit the forward ends of the needles run over a roller 42, wherebythey are also steadied.

The needles are propelled backward and forward by a vertical cross-head 4E3 guided on rods 14 and having engagement, by means of blocks 45 attached to it, with reduced parts 46 just back of the front ends of the needle-shafts. The reciprocation of the cross-head back and forth upon its guides, thus obviously propels the needles, which rotate as hereinbefore set forth. The crosshead is reciprocated by the engagement, with its vertical slot, of a crank-pin 47 of a crank 48 on a transverse shaft 49. The rotation of this crank obviously produces the desired result. In order to lock the cross-head in its forward and' back position, the-crank is provided with a pin 50 engaging springs 51 and 52' to hold it with a moderate force at its two extremes of movement. I

- ith the construction thus far described it is obviously necessary to impart to the crank and shaft 4.9 180 of revolution, then 'to stop the rotation while the needle is threaded at the one extreme of its movement, or while the mantle is changed at the other, and then to impart another 180 of rotation. This is accomplished by the ratchet mechanism shown best in Figs. 15 and 16. The shaft has fast on it a ratchet 53 having, in the preferred form of construction, only two teeth 180 apart. Outside of this ratchet is a barrel 54 provided With pawls '55 engaging the ratchet teeth. The barrel may runto a treadle controlled by the operators foot. Theoperation will now be obvious. The barrel is rotated half a turn,

advancing the needles and latches in its forward posltion as hereinbefore set forth. While the needle is being threaded the operator releases the strap and the.barrel turns back. After the needle is threaded another parts to the barrel'and shaft another half turn so as to retract the needle. stantially concludes the description .of the needles, their supports, guides and propelling mechanism. I p

The mantle-holding and clamping mechanism will now be described. 58 is the stretcher, this being in the form of a flat vertical plate tapered at its upward end to facilitate slipping the mantles v thereover' rapidly. The stretcher has semi-cylindrical grooves 59 at its lower end, in line with the path of the needles, 60 are the clampingjaws, generally, and each is provided with a vertical web 61 to oppose the stretcher, the vertical webs being provided with grooves 62 opposite the grooves 59 in the stretcher. The vertical webs are supported by transverse ribs 63. The ribs are traversed by a longitudinal perforation to receive tubes 64, the vertical webs in the center of the grooves 62 being slotted for the passage of bristles 65 which are supported in and carried by the tubes 64. These bristles are very desirable in that they hold-the mantle yieldingly toward the stretcher even where unsupported by the rigid clamps. If the mantle is placed upon the stretcher with care, soas to be perfectly smooth and without any slack, these bristles are unnecessary. It occasionally happens, however, that a careless operator working at high speed puts on the. mantle and crowds it down too far, so that ther'eis some slack left. This may result'in and similar operation by the operator im- This subleaving an extra fold of material in the space between the grooves of the clamps and stretcher so that when Tthe}, needle-point moves forward in itsspiral course, itwill.

meet, with loose material which it cannot pass through and will thus drop a stitch.

,movement and operation oftheneedle, be-

cause they simply move out of its way as it passes. v a

' To move. the clamping-jaws in and out, they are pivoted to bell-crank levers 66 and 67, the pivot perforationsin the upper arms of the bell-crank levers being slightlyenlarged vertically to permit play of the pivot-pins therein, so that the jaws may move, in right lines, while the bell-cranks swing upon their pivots. The lower ends of the bell-cranks are slidable on pins 68' pivoted on toggle-levers 69 mutually pivoted upon a central, pivot-pin 70. Springs: 71 surround the pins 68'tohold the bell-cranks out and yetto permit a limited yield; The central pivot-pin of the togglesis connected to a link 72, the upper end of which is pivoted to the inner end of a hand-operated lever 73 of the first order. 1 When. the lever 7 3 ismoved up by the operator from the position shown in Figs. 10 and 4, to that shown in Fig.3, the inner ends ofthe toggle-levers move down, pulling together the lower ends of the bell-cranks, as shown in Fig. 3, and

separating the jaws. Lowering the handle by opposite movement of the parts, draws the jaws together into clampingposition;

The jaws are held ineither position, that is, in clamping position or separated, by means-of a spring 74 connecting the handlever 73 with the stationary part of the frame, thisspring being so disposed that it swings past the pivot of the hand-lever on the frame, so as to form a dead-center lock in both directions.

- This concludes the w description of the needle -advancing and mantle r clamping mechanisms. Their mutual cooperation will have been made plain by the initial, description of the general; principle of operation. The work accomplished will be understood by reference to Figs. 17, 18, 19,20 and 23. The mantle isplacedin position and the jaws closed upon it. The needles are then advanced, rotating as they. move, and thus pass repeatedly through the two sides of the mantle to the position shown in Figs. 17 and 18. By the threading mechanism hereinafter .to be'descriloed, the opposite endsof an asbestos cord loop. are passed downward through the eyesof the needles. The needles are then retracted and pull the loop into the mantle as shown in Fig. 19. At the end of their movement, the loop at the front end of, the cord catches on'a stripping-pin 75 which stops itsJ'fuItllBI movementiwiththe' needles so that the last part of the ret'raction'of the needles they pulled the ends of the cord,leaving;the-parts as shownin their upper eyedparts in a plane longitudina-l: of the machine. Then the threaderplate is brought up, the upper part of the .threaderspass through the eyes of the needies. The eyes engage with the twisted surfaces thereof, and a screwing actiontakes place turning the threaders against-the springs 80, so that their upper parts stand at right-angles to theneedles at the end of their upward'movement. The operator then passes the ends of the thread through the eyes of the threaders, as shown in Fig. 18.,

The threader-plate is then depressed and the ,th-readers drawn out ofthe eyes of the needles, carrying with them the ends of'the thread from which they promptly disengage themselves by further downward movement.

The threader-plate is reciprocated by a lever .81 slotted at 82 to engage a pin 83 on the threader-plate. As the operator pushes down the outer end of the lever 81, the threaderplate and threaders obviously rise to secure the result heretofore set forth.

What weclaim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is v 1. In combination, members between which a portion of a mantlecan be clamped, registering grooves in said members, a needle having a spiral end, and means for ad vancing and rotating the needlethrough the grooves to traverse the mantle. p

2. In combination, a stret her over which a mantle can be placed, clampingjaws to cooperate therewith, registering grooves in the stretcher and jaws, means to close and open the jaws, needles provided with spiral ends, and means for advancing and retracting the needles, and forrotating them while in longitudinal movement to cause them to traverse the grooves in the j awe and stretcher and to penetrate the two sides of the mantle.

3. In combination, a stretcher over which a mantle can be placed, jaws on the two sides thereof, registering grooves in the jaws and, stretcher, means to close and open the jaws, two needles provided with spiral points, needle-shafts provided with threads,

means engaging the threads to rotate the needles and shafts when longitudinally 'moved,and means to reciprocate'the needles therewith, registering grooves in the jaws and stretcher,bell-cranks connected to the jawsftoggle levers yieldingly connected with the bell-cranks and mutually pivoted together, and means for reciprocatingthe pivot ofthe toggle-levers to open and close the jaws, needles provided with spiral points, and means for advancing and retracting the needles and for rotating them while in longitudinal movement to cause them to traverse the grooves in the jaws and stretcher and to pass through the'sides of the mantle alternately in opposite directions. j

'5. In combination, means for holding a portion of a mantle in a plane, a needle pro v1ded with a spiral end, and means for advancing the needle substantially in the plane of said part of the mantle and for rotating H the needle while advancing it, whereby its point passes through the plane of, the man'- He alternately, from opposite sides, and elastic means engaging the mantle to hold it snugly in position.- 6. In combination, opposmgsurfaces be- I tween which a part of a mantle can be grasped, registering grooves in said surfaces, a spiral needle, means for advancing and rotatmg the needle to cause it to traverse the grooves and pass through the mantle-part alternately in opposite directions, and yielding means engaging the mantle in the grooves, for the purpose set forth.

7. In combination, opposing surfaces between which a part of a mantle can be grasped, registering grooves in said surfaces, a spiral needle, means for advancing and rotating the needle to cause it to'traverse the grooves and pass through the mantle-part alternately in opposite directions,

and a series of elastic bristles in one of the grooves to engage the mantle, for the purpose set" forth.

8. In combination, a stretcher to receive a mantle, jaws onopposite sides thereof, meansfor opening and closing the jaws, registering grooves in the jaws and stretcher, needles with spiral ends, means for reciprocating and rotating the needles, slots entering the sides of the grooves in the jaws and bristles projecting from said slots into the jaw-grooves to engage the mantle, for the purpose set forth.

r 9. In combination, a stretcher to receive a mantle, jaws on opposite sides thereof, means to open and close the jaws, registering grooves in the jaws a'ndstretcher, needles with spiral ends, means to advance and rotate the needles and a stripper-pin adjacent to the end of the stretcher to engage 'a thread-loop to strip it from the needles upon their retraction.

threaders being twisted'to be turned by engagement with the needles in their passage therethrough, for the purpose set forth.'

11. In a device of the class described, re-

ciprocable needles, a stretcher and mantle- 'ri oin 'aws in combination with a needleguide comprising a' grooved-stationary member in which the needles lie, and a spring-pressed grooved cap opposed thereto.

12; Ina device of the character described, a stretcher, jaws to oppose the same for holding'a mantle, reciprocable needles, and means for reciprocating the needles comprising a cross-head, a crankengaging the cross-head, operating means, ratchet mechanism connecting the crank with the operating means whereby successive movements of the operating mechanism first advance and then retract the needles.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a spiral needle, means for rotating the same, a work holder, means for relatively moving the work holder and needle, to cause the needle to pass through the work on the holder, and means for clamping the work on the holder -simultaneously onv opposite sides of the path of the needle.

14. In apparatus of the character set forth, a Work holder, spaced spiral needles that operate on opposite sides of the holder, and means for relatively moving the needles and work holder, to cause the former to pass through spaced portions of the fabric placed upon the holder.

15. In apparatus of the character set forth, a work holder, spaced spiral needles that operate on opposite sides of the holder, means for relatively moving the needles and work holder, to cause the former to pass through spaced portions of the fabric placed upon the holder, and means for clamping the work on opposite sides of the holder during the passage of the needles.

16. In apparatus of the character set forth, a work holder, spaced spiral needles that operate on opposite sides of the holder, means for relatively moving the needles and work holder, to cause the former to pass through spaced portions of the fabric placed upon the holder, and means for clamping the Work oniop'p'ositesides of the" holder during thepassage of the" needles, :said clamping means and; Work holder leavingpassageways betiveen "tl1e1n'for the passage of the needles. 17. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle having a spiralfront portion and a substantially straight shank, and an eye in the shankin rear of the spiral incom- *saidholder.

v18. In apparatus ofrthe character set forth, -aneedle comprising a substantially straight shankya spiral end, and an eye at substantially the junction of the shank andspiralend, in combination with means for rotating said needle, a workholder, .and means for relatively moving the needle and work holder to cause the needleto pass through work carried by said holder.

19. In apparatus of the Character set forth, aane'ed'le comprising a substantially straight shank having a spiral front endand an eye located in the shank'intreaivof the spiral portion, and meansifor rotating the needle.

20; In apparatus" of the character set forth, a needle having a substantially straight shank and a spiral front end, means for moving the needle longitudinally and rotating the same, and a bearing in Which the straight shank of the needle is longitudinally slidable and rotatably mounted.

21. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle having a spiral portion, means for moving the needle longitudinally and rotating it, and a roller bearing for receiving the front end of the needle as it is advanced, said bearing having its axis of rotation transverse to the longitudinal direction of movement of the needle.

22. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle having a substantially straight shank and a spiral front end, means for moving the needle longitudinally and rotating it, a bearing in which the straight shank of the needle is slidable and rotatable, and a roller bearing for receiving the front end of the needle as it is advanced.

23. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle shaft having a spiral portion, a device slidably engaged With the spiral portion, means for effecting a relative movement between the device and shaft longitudinally of thelatter, including a device with Which the shaft has a rotatable engagement, and a spiralneedle connected to the shaft.

24. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle shaft having a spiral groove, a device slidably engaged in the groove, means for effecting a relative movement between the device and shaft longitudinally of the latter, including a device With which the shaft has a rotatable engagement, .and a" spiralneedle connected to the shaft.

25. In apparatus of the character set forth,-a needle shaft having a spiral groove,

provided with end portions. disposed longi-' tudinally of the shaft, a device slidablyengaged in the spiral groove and movable into said end portions, means for. effecting a longitudlnal movement of the shaft and permitting its rotation, and a spiral needle connectedto the shaft.

26. In apparatus of the character set forth, a support, a shaft longitudinally movable on the support and having a spiral groove, a device engaged 1n the-groove to cause the rotatlon of the shaft on its longitudinal-movement, device for reciprocat mg said shaft and in which the shaft isrotatably mounted, and means for mounting a" needle on said shaft;

27. In apparatus of the character set forth, a support,;ashaft longitudinally movable on' the support and having a spiral groove, a device engaged in the groove to cause1t-herotation of-the shaft on its longitudinal movement, a reciprocatory device in Which the shaft is rotatably mounted, means for reciprocating said device, and means for mounting a needle on said shaft.

28. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle member, a Work holder member, and means for relatively moving the members back and forth, including a rotatable member, an oscillatory member,means for oscillating the member, a clutch for automatically connecting said members to ef feet a complete step-by-step rotation of the rotatable member on successive oscillations of the oscillatory member, and means connected to the rotatable member for causing the needle to pass through the Work placed on said holder.

29. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle, a Work holder, and means for relatively moving the same back and forth, including a rotatable member having a crank connection With one, an oscillatory member, means for oscillating the member to cause a movement of the same substantially 180, and a clutch for automatically connecting the members during the movement of the oscillating member in one direction to effect a complete step-by-step rotation of the rotatable member on successive oscillations of the oscillatory member.

30. In apparatus of the character set forth, a support,a shaft longitudinally movable on the support and having a spiral roove, a device carried by the support and engaged in the groove for rotating the shaft on its longitudinal movement, a reciprocatory device With which the shaft has a rotatable engagement, means for mounting a needle on the shaft, a rotatable member havcomplete rotation.

32. In apparatus of the character set forth, a needlehaving: an eye, means for causing the needle to traverse the work, a threadingdevice, and means for .assing the threading device through the nee le eye and causing the'portion of the device, that passes through the eye to turn on its longitudinal 33.-In apparatus of the character set forth, a needle having an eye, means for causing the needle to traverse the work, a supporting device movable toward and from the needle, and a spiral threading device Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

pivotally' mounted on the supporting device and turning on its longitudinal axis, said device being movable througlrthe needle eye.

34. In apparatus of thejl 'chara'cter set forth, a needle having an eye, means for forth, the combination with a-needle having an eye, means for causing the needle to traverse the work, a supporting device movable toward and from the needle, a spiral threading device 10111'1121l6d011 the supporting device and movable through the needle eye, being turned thereby on its longitudinal. axis durlng said movement, and means lormovingthe supporting device.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our-hands this12th day of March, 1914.

ELLSWORTH E. FLORA. JOHN F. MURPHY.

nesses:

NELLIE B. DEARBORN, FLORENCE A. FLoRELL.

Washington, D. G.

In presence of two subscribing Wit- 

